Football news

Napoli have sacked coach Edy Reja and replaced him with former Italy manager Roberto Donadoni.

"Napoli announce that they have relieved Edoardo Reja of his duties as first team coach and have appointed Roberto Donadoni," a club statement said.

"The club has taken this decision with a heavy heart given the fundamental role of Reja during the last five seasons, where Napoli were propelled from Serie C to Serie A and the UEFA Cup."

Mid-table Napoli, who were bidding for a Champions League place after a bright start to the season, lost 2-0 at home to Lazio on Sunday to extend their winless league run to nine matches.

FA Cup semis dates announced

The English FA announced that the FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Arsenal/Hull will take place at Wembley on April 18 with a 6.15 p.m. (Malta time) kick-off.

If Arsenal overcome Hull at the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday, they will tackle Chelsea in the first semi-final, with Manchester United facing Everton the following day (5 p.m. Malta time).

The FA said they are to meet the respective clubs before finalising ticket allocations, although they have confirmed prices will range from £24.50 to £53.80.

Real panned by Spanish media

Spanish media resonated with dismay and disbelief yesterday after Real Madrid's thrashing by Liverpool in the Champions League first knockout round.

"Madrid humiliated in Europe", "Liverpool, white cemetery" and "Madrid crash to earth" were among the headlines after a 4-0 defeat saw the nine-times European champions eclipsed.

Real failed to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for a fifth straight year and the 5-0 aggregate scoreline would have been far wider were it not for a string of fine saves by Spain keeper Iker Casillas.

"Liverpool gave a provincial-looking Madrid a lesson in what Europe is," wrote the daily ABC.

"Their devastating play made Madrid look like they weren't at the game: no possession, no ideas and lacking control or width.

"A stellar Torres knocked Madrid to the ground and Gerrard buried them."

Beckenbauer likens Bayern to Liverpool

Club president Franz Beckenbauer compared Bayern Munich to Liverpool after his team scored a record 12-1 aggregate win over Sporting to stroll into the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Germans are unbeaten in this season's Champions League but their form has been inconsistent in the Bundesliga.

"Maybe Bayern are becoming a bit like Liverpool," Beckenbauer said after his side crushed Sporting 7-1 at the Allianz Arena.

"The players clearly enjoy playing in the Champions League which they see as a special challenge."

Riquelme quits Argentina

Playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme quit the Argentine national side for the second time in three years this week and blamed coach Diego Maradona for his decision.

"The national team is over for me," the former Barcelona and Villarreal player, now with Boca Juniors, said.

"We don't think the same way. We don't share the same code of ethics. While he is the coach, we can't work together."

Maradona said: "I'm very sad that Riquelme does not want to play in my team but I'm not going to cry over spilt milk."

It was the second major controversy since Maradona's appointment in October. Less than two weeks after he took over, Maradona reportedly threatened to quit after the Argentine association refused to allow him to name Oscar Ruggeri as his assistant.

Hearts to link up with B. M'gladbach

Csaba Laszlo, the Hearts coach, wants to start a player exchange programme with Bundesliga club Bor. M'gladbach with whom he spent five years as head of youth development.

Laszlo is looking to see some fringe footballers from the Gladbach team playing in the Scottish league.

He said: "Maybe we can have a good collaboration next season.

"They have some very interesting players. They also have a very strong academy that produces many youngsters with a good football knowledge."

Milan may opt for Cagliari keeper

The current season still has several weeks to go but Milan are already looking to strengthen their squad and Cagliari keeper Federico Marchetti, 26, could be one of their transfer targets in summer.

Although Christian Abbiati has been outstanding this season, it is widely accepted that Milan are keen to find a more reliable keeper.

Marchetti, who grew up in the Torino youth system, is making a name for himself this season. He is currently on loan from Serie B outfit AlbinoLeffe but Cagliari will almost certainly exercise a clause in his contract to buy the keeper permanently for around £1.5m.